News Release: Netflix & ACE Announce Premiere Partnership with ACE Five

NETFLIX AND ACE CANADA SOCIETY ANNOUNCE PREMIERE PARTNERSHIP WITH ACE FIVE 

Vancouver, BC (January 12, 2026) – Netflix and the Animation Career Excelerator (ACE Canada) Society are pleased to announce the continuation of the ACE CANADA Program in 2026, with the fifth cohort of the society’s signature ACE Program. The program—an immersive career accelerator for mid-level, women, non-binary and Two-Spirit animation professionals across Canada—provides mentorship, advanced training, and hands-on experience as they write and produce an original short film, earning participants a key creative credit.

Since its inception in 2018, the ACE Program has demonstrated sustained growth and impact. What began with five roles in British Columbia has expanded into a national program offering nine roles across Canada. To date, ACE has propelled 28 creators directly into new positions and advanced 19 more into supervisory roles, totalling 47 career advancements nationwide. The program has also helped launch four women-led incorporated animation companies and has produced award-winning Canadian short films, each rooted in authentic storytelling. 

With Netflix’s continued support, along with its supporters, including the Canada Media Fund, Telefilm Canada, Creative BC, Toon Boom Animation, the Autodesk Technology Impact Program, and more, ACE Canada has strengthened its national and international presence, expanding opportunities for emerging creators and reinforcing industry confidence in the program’s role in advancing gender parity in key creative animation roles.

“Working on our ACE 3 short film, Ostinato, has allowed us to broaden the scope of thinking about ourselves and our work, while talking about the film and its success on Netflix has helped us create new relationships and given us the confidence to pursue new avenues,” says Sunita Balsara the writer on ACE 3’s Ostinato. “As women and (for some of us) mothers, the opportunity to be mentored and work within such an incredible team is rare to find and essential for career growth. This program is unique in its collaborative approach and as an opportunity to create authentic films,” continues Sonia Furier, the film's director. 

Applications for ACE 5 open today and close 11:59 pm, February 22, 2026, with shortlisted candidates to be announced in March.

“ACE is extremely proud that Netflix recognizes the measurable impact of our mission as we join forces to launch ACE 5. Although more women enter animation programs than men, too many lose sight of their dream to become Directors, Art Directors, Writers, Creators and more because the opportunities for them have not historically been there. Our goal is simple: reignite those dreams and empower underrepresented voices to shape the future of Canadian animation,” says Rose-Ann Tisserand, Executive Director, ACE Canada. 

ACE 3 marked the first nationwide collaboration and the launch of the premiere partnership with Netflix, uniting passionate new voices to create the stunning film Ostinato, which is now streaming on Netflix. Audiences will soon be able to discover the ACE 4 film, Rocketship Mai, and the filmmakers behind it. The team from ACE 4 will host a private screening of their short film Rocketship Mai at The MIFA in Annecy, France in 2026. 

Inspired by writer Nattasha Shrestha’s experiences, Rocketship Mai follows 6 year old Mai, on a steep mission to fight time to spend more moments with her ailing father. The ACE 4 team includes filmmakers from BC, and Ontario; producer Arlyn Bantog (Andor Season 2), head of story Airin Budiman (GOAT), editor Bec Cranswick (Disney Jr's Spidey & His Amazing Friends), art director Crystal Woo (Barbie Mysteries), animation director Katie Winchester (Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), composer Michelle Lorimer (“Bug Sex, It’s Complicated” episode The Nature of Things) and production manager Anastasia Walker (Production Coordinator; Invincible S1).

ACE Canada is made possible with the support of generous sponsors including Netflix Canada, Canada Media Fund, Telefilm Canada, Creative BC, Toon Boom, Autodesk Technology Impact Program, The National Film Board, Atomic Cartoons, Canadian Media Producers Association - BC Producer’s Branch, SyncSketch, 708 Sound Studio, WildBrain Studios, VIFF Amp, Producer Essentials, the Research House, Pender PR.   

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About The Animation Career Excelerator (ACE Canada) Society 

ACE Canada is a non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening the Canadian animation industry by supporting underrepresented professionals through career training, education, mentorship, and networking opportunities. Its signature initiative, the ACE Program, is a nationwide training program designed to advance the careers of mid-level animation professionals who identify as women and non-binary. Through mentorship, training, and hands-on experience, the program prepares participants to step into senior and key creative roles while creating original intellectual property telling their authentic stories.

About Netflix 

Netflix is one of the world's leading entertainment services, with over 300 million paid memberships in over 190 countries enjoying TV series, films and games across a wide variety of genres and languages. Members can play, pause and resume watching as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, and can change their plans at any time.